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 San Pedro, Los Angeles & 
 Salt Lake K. R, 
 
A DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GREAT TEMPLE 
 
 SALT LAKE CITY. 
 
 AND 
 
 A Statement Concerning the Purposes for Which 
 It Has Been Built. 
 
 BY 
 
 D. M.I McAllister. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE 
 
 BUREAU OF INFORMATION 
 
 Salt Lake City, Utah 
 
 Second Edition 1909. 
 
COPYRIGHTED BY 
 
 JOSEPH F. SMITH 
 
 FOR 
 
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints 
 October, 1904 
 
[109 
 
 0I|? i§0U0^ 0f tl|^ Snri, Sutlt bg 111? QII|urrly nf 
 3?j0ua CHirtBt nf Halttr-iag S>atntB. QIommrnrFb 
 April )a, 1B53; (Unmiiklfb Ajiril %. 1803. 
 
 (Above are the words inscribed on a stone 
 tablet on the east center tower of the Temple) . 
 
 No object in Salt Lake City excites greater interest 
 in the minds of strangers than the Temple, which has 
 been erected here by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 
 day Saints. It elicits expressions of wonderment because 
 of its beautiful yet massive proportions, unique architec- 
 ture, and evident costliness. Numerous questions are 
 asked concerning the structure, the purposes for which 
 it has been built, and why none but members of the 
 Church are permitted to enter its precincts. This hand- 
 book has been compiled, from authentic sources, to satisfy 
 all reasonable inquiries in relation to these matters. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE BUILDING. 
 
 Four days after the arrival of the Pioneers on the 
 barren site of this now lovely city, July 28th, 1847, Pre- 
 sident Brigham Young, while walking over the ground 
 
with some of his associates, suddenly stopped and, striking 
 the point of his cane into the parched soil, exclaimed, 
 "Here we will build the Temple of our God." ^ His pro- 
 phetic words were noted by his companions, and Apostle 
 (afterward President) Wilford Woodruff drove a wooden 
 stake into the small hole made by the point of President 
 Young's cane. On the evening of the same day, the ten 
 acres selected for the Temple Block were marked out, 
 and it was decided that the future city should surround 
 that square. 
 
 In April, 1851, the members of the Church — assembled 
 in general conference — voted unanimously to build the 
 Temple. • February 14, 1853, after the site for the great 
 structure was surveyed, the block was solemnly dedicated, 
 and ground broken for the foundation of the Temple. 
 On April 6th of the same year, the corner stones of the 
 Temple were laid, with impressive ceremonies, amid great 
 rejoicing of the assembled multitude. 
 
 Unknown to those who surveyed the site for the 
 building, the wooden stake driven into the ground by 
 Wilford Woodruff, on the 28th of July, 1847, marked the 
 centre of the plot laid out by them. 
 
 It should ever be remembered that this magnificent 
 structure was planned, and its erection begun, by a 
 small number of despoiled and destitute people, at a 
 time when they were struggling for existence in the midst 
 of adverse surroundings. We shall not enumerate the 
 many seemingly insurmountable obstacles, which, from 
 time to time, hindered the progress of the stupendous 
 undertaking; but it may well be said that the completed 
 Temple is a monument of faith and work unparalleled in 
 the world's history. 
 
 The Temple is built of gray granite taken from a 
 mountain of that enduring material at the mouth of Little 
 Cottonwood canyon, twenty miles south-east of the city. 
 Many of the blocks of granite in the walls are so large 
 that four yoke of oxen were required to haul each of 
 
 2 
 
them, occupying four days in transit. This process of 
 hauling rock by ox-teams, from the quarry to the Temple 
 site, was so slow and expensive that President Young 
 decided to have a canal constructed to carry the rock 
 by boats. Accordingly, the canal was dug, at great cost, 
 from the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon across the 
 bench land, to an outlet in City Creek, near the Temple 
 block. But in 1873, before the canal was sufficiently com- 
 pleted to be made available for the main purpose in 
 view, a line of railroad was laid which supplanted this 
 contemplated use of the canal. The latter has since been 
 used to great advantage in conveying a large supply of 
 water from Jordan River to the City. 
 
 DIMENSIONS. 
 
 Some idea of the massiveness of the building, and of the 
 enormous amount of rock used in its construction, may 
 be obtained from the following figures: Foundation, or 
 footing wall, sixteen feet wide and eight feet deep; 
 basement walls, eight feet thick; upper story walls, six 
 feet thick. The extreme length of the building is 1861/^ 
 feet; extreme width, IIS^/^ feet. Height of side walls on 
 main building 107 1^ feet; east center tower 210 feet high; 
 west center tower 204 feet. Inverted arches are con- 
 structed in the foundation, to distribute evenly the 
 enormous pressure of the massive walls. The entire area 
 is 21,850 feet. 
 
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES. 
 
 The architecture of the Temple is composite and 
 original. The six towers, three on the east and three on 
 the west, are built entirely of granite. Within each of the 
 four corner towers there is a spiral staircase. There are 
 172 granite steps, and four landings, in each of these 
 
 3 
 
stairways. Each step is 
 six feet long, and weighs 
 over 1,700 pounds. 
 
 On the capstone of the 
 east centre tow^er is a 
 hammered copper statue, 
 twelve feet five and one- 
 half inches in height, 
 heavily gilded with pure 
 gold leaf. It represents 
 the angel Moroni blowing a 
 trumpet, proclaiming the 
 restoration of the Gospel. 
 (See Book of Mormon.) 
 
 The largest dressed 
 
 rocks in the building are 
 
 known as the "Earth 
 
 Stones." They are at the base of the buttresses, near 
 
 the level of the ground, on each side of the basement 
 
 windows, thirty-lour of them in all. Each of these blocks 
 
 of granite is five and one-half feet high, four and one- 
 half feet wide, and twenty inches thick, and weighs over 
 three tons. On each of them is carved, in bas-relief, 
 a globe three feet eleven inches in diameter They 
 cost, when finished, about $300.00 each. 
 
 The 'Moon Stones," fifty in number, are inserted 
 in the buttresses in line with the top of the first row 
 of oval windows. These stones are carved to represent 
 the different phases of the moon. 
 
 On the buttresses above the "Moon Stones," in line 
 with the top of the upper row of oval windows, are the 
 "Sun Stones," fifty in number. 
 
 Nearly all the keystones of the windows and doors 
 in the building are ornamented with a beautifully cut 
 five-pointed star. There are also stars carved on the 
 face of a large number of other granite stones prominent 
 in various parts of the structure. 
 
 On the facade of the middle tower at the west end 
 of the building, in line with the battlements, is carved 
 
 4 
 
the seven stars forming the constellation of Ursa Major, 
 the Great Bear, or Dipper, with the pointers directed, as 
 nearly as possible, toward the North Star. 
 
 The keystones of the lower windows of the east and 
 west centre towers have inscribed on them the words of 
 the Lord, "I am Alpha and Omega." Below these key- 
 stones is carved the emblem of Clasped Hands, and on 
 the stones at the top of the upper windows in the same 
 towers is depicted the awe-inspiring symbol of the All- 
 seeing Eye. 
 
 At the top of the buttresses of the east centre tower 
 are carved representations of rays of light emanating from 
 clouds. 
 
 EMBLEMATICAL SIGNIFICANCE. 
 
 It may be of interest to note the meaning that the 
 I/atter-day Saints attach to some of the architecturaJ 
 features herein described. 
 
 The three towers at the eastern end, or front, of the 
 building are each six feet higher than the corresponding 
 towers at the west end. These three eastern towers rep- 
 resent the three Presiding High Priests of the Church, 
 who constitute the First Presidency, whose special prov- 
 ince it is to supervise the spiritual affairs of the Church. 
 In like manner, the three towers at the west end represent 
 the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, whose duty it is 
 to supervise its temporal interests. 
 
 The angel Moroni, whose statue crowns the highest 
 pinnacle of the Temple, was the heavenly messenger who 
 appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, proclaiming the 
 re-establishment of the Kingdom of God in this age, and 
 gave to him the plates of the Book of Mormon, which 
 book contains the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel. 
 The coming of Moroni marked the fulfillment of the pro- 
 phecy contained in Rev. 14: 
 
6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of 
 heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach 
 unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every 
 nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. 
 
 7. Saying with a loud voice. Fear God, and 
 give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is 
 come: and worship him that made heaven, and 
 earth, and the sea. and the fountains of waters. 
 
 The stones representing rays of light streaming from 
 
 the midst of clouds indicate Gospel light dispelling the 
 
 clouds of error which had enshrouded the world, Isaiah 60: 
 
 2. For. behold, the darkness shall cover the 
 earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord 
 shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen 
 upon thee. 
 
 The stones representing the sun, earth, moon, and 
 numerous stars, are allegorical emblems of the conditions 
 to which the resurrected souls of mankind will be assigned, 
 when all are judged "according to their w^orks." 1 Cor. 15: 
 
 40. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies 
 terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one. and 
 the glory of the terrestrial is another. 
 
 41. There is one glory of the sun. and another 
 glorj' of the moon, and another glory of the stars: 
 for one star differeth from another star in glory. 
 
 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 
 
 Rev. 20: 
 
 12. And I .saw the dead, small and great, stand 
 before God; and the books were opened: and an- 
 other book was opened, which is the book of life: 
 and the dead were judged out of those things which 
 were written in the books, according to their works. 
 
 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were 
 in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead 
 which were in them: and they were judged every 
 man according to their works. 
 
 The depicted constellation of Ursa Major, with the 
 pointers directed to the North Star, is intended to remind 
 those in doubt concerning the true way, that they should 
 follow the path indicated by the Priesthood. 
 
 The Clasped Hands are emblematic of the strong 
 union and brotherly love characteristic of Latter-day 
 Saints, through which they have been enabled to accom- 
 plish so much both at home and abroad. 
 
 The grand truth recorded in the Scriptures, "The eyes 
 of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the 
 good," is expressed by the symbol of the All-seeing Eye. 
 This, with the words "Holiness to the Lord" under it. is 
 often seen on buildings owned by Latter-day Saints. 
 
ADJOINING BUILDINGS. 
 
 Before proceeding to describe the interior of tlie 
 Temple, we call attention to two other structures within 
 the subdivision of the block where the Temple is en- 
 closed. 
 
 The neat stone building located near the centre of 
 the north wall of the block, having an ornamental smoke 
 stack attached to it, is the boiler-house. The boilers are 
 underground, and they supply steam for heating all the 
 buildings on the Temple block. It will be observed that 
 this boiler-house is about two hundred feet distant from 
 the Temple, thus insuring safety from fire. 
 
 Under the level of the ground, at the west end of 
 the Temple, is the engineer's room, in which is located 
 the electrical switchboard and transformers; these pro- 
 vide light and power for all the buildings on the Temple 
 block. 
 
 The elegant white stone building, of oriental archi- 
 tectural design, situated about one hundred feet north of 
 the Temple, is named the 4nnex; and therein the people 
 
assemble before they are permitted to go into the Temple. 
 The doorkeeper and recorders have offices in the annex. 
 Each individual who desires to enter the Temple is 
 required to present necessary credentials, signed by his 
 respective Bishop and Stake President, certifying that he 
 is worthy of that great privilege. 
 
 At 9 a. m., four days weekly, preparatory services 
 are held in a commodious assembly hall in the annex; 
 after which those who are to participate in the sacred 
 ordinances of the Temple, generally numbering about two 
 hundred persons, descend a staircase into a well-lighted 
 passage way, where they remove the shoes worn out-of- 
 doors, and they are then ushered into the splendid rooms of 
 the Temple basement. 
 
 INTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE. 
 
 A wide and lofty corridor extends the entire width 
 of the basement, in the centre of the building, from north 
 to south. At the south end of this corridor is a handsome 
 staircase, the posts, rails, and wainscoting of which are 
 solid, polished cherry wood. The various rooms of the 
 basement are reached from the corridor. Spacious bath 
 and dressing rooms, for men only, are located along the 
 north-west side. Similar rooms, for women only, are on 
 the south-west side. Intervening, and entirely separating 
 these two sets of rooms, is the magnificent baptismal font 
 room of the Temple, fifty-seven feet long by thirty-five 
 feet wide. 
 
 The distinctive feature of this room is the font itself. 
 In some respects it resembles the "molten sea ' of Solo- 
 mon's Temple, described in I. Kings, vii., 23 to 26. This 
 in the Salt Lake Temple is, probably, equally beautiful. 
 It is cast iron, elliptical in form, and of ample dimensions 
 in length, width, and depth to contain an abundant supply 
 of water in which the officiating Elder can submerge the 
 individual who acts as proxy in the ordinance of baptism 
 
 9 
 
for the dead. It rests upon the backs of twelve life-size, 
 cast iron, bronzed oxen, which stand in an excavated de- 
 pression about three feet below the level of the floor, 
 in the centre of the room. There is a flight of iron steps 
 at the east and west ends of the font, from the floor to 
 its rim, connecting with steps "leading down into the 
 water. The elegance of the castings, enameling, gilding, 
 and other ornamentation and appointments connected with 
 the font, and the room in which it is placed, makes the 
 whole surpassingly grand. 
 
 There are two assembly rooms on the east side of the 
 corridor, each about forty by forty-five feet, with opera 
 chair seats in each for two hundred persons. The room to 
 the north is quite plain in its finishings, but the one on the 
 south is splendidly frescoed, the ceiling painted to rep- 
 resent the firmament, and the walls displaying beautiful 
 landscapes. At the south side of this room are openings 
 into a large conservatory of lovely flowering plants. 
 
 On the floor above the basement, which is reached by 
 the grand staircase from the corridor below, there are 
 three large rooms, and a number smaller, all of which 
 are beautifully decorated, and furnished at great cost. On 
 the wall of the hall-landing on this floor is a large oil 
 painting, twelve by eighteen feet, painted by Armitage, 
 depicting a Book of Mormon subject, — Christ preaching to 
 the Nephites. A companion picture to this is in the hall 
 below, and the subject is Joseph Smith preaching to a 
 tribe of Indians. 
 
 The walls of the large room on the south-west of this 
 floor are painted in landscape scenes, differing in char- 
 acter from those on the walls of the room below. The 
 splendid chandeliers, furnishings, and decorations make 
 this an elegant assembly room. It is surpassed, however, 
 by the other large room on the north-west. In this white 
 and gold is the predominating feature of the beautifully 
 decorated ceiling, cornice, and walls. It can be brilliantly 
 illuminated, when desired, by the handsome chandeliers 
 and great number of electric lights. A very large mirror 
 
 10 
 
covers a section of the west end. of the room. The seats 
 are finely upholstered, rich curtains hang at the windows, 
 and splendid paintings adorn the walls. 
 
 Across the entire east end of the room just described, 
 is an archway, which connects it with the north-east room. 
 Ascending a few steps, we push the curtain aside and 
 pass into the most magnificent room in the Temple. 
 It is larger and more lofty than either of the others. 
 Grecian columns are ranged along the sides, supporting an 
 arched roof. A double row of windows gives abundant 
 light; the upper row is of stained glass, semi-circular in 
 form. Immense plate-glass mirrors cover the east walls. 
 Above the mirrors are two splendid oil paintings by Lam- 
 bourne, representing historic spots, the Hill Cumorah, and 
 Adam-Ondi-Ahman. Decorative artists of great skill have 
 done their best, and produced a harmonious b'ending of 
 gorgeous colors and gilding on the walls, columns, cornices, 
 and elaborate, paneled ceiling, with its artistically arranged 
 borders, and clusters of grapes, fruits, and flowers. The 
 furniture, carpet, curtains, pictures, chandeliers, and orna- 
 ments, are all of the most costly description. 
 
 Three comparatively small apartments open to the 
 south of this indescribably beautiful room. Those at the 
 south-east and south-west ends are semi-circular, and about 
 equal in size, each of them exquisite in decoration and 
 furnishings, while large plate glass mirrors cover the end 
 walls; stained glass windows, and numerous electric lights 
 brilliantly illuminate the rooms. 
 
 The third apartment alluded to is situated between 
 the two just described, and elevated a few feet above them. 
 The stairway leading to it from the main room is an elegant 
 design, finished in white and gold. The room is circular 
 in form, with a domed ceiling, which is completely en- 
 circled by jeweled windows that admit a multi-hued 
 softened light. The walls are artistically paneled, red silk 
 velvet forming borders; delicate blue, white, and gold pre- 
 dominating in the shades of color. The floor is inlaid 
 with inch-square blocks of hard woods, polished, the whole 
 
 11 
 
forming a pattern of great beauty. A fitting adjunct to this 
 beautiful room is a large stained glass window, placed in 
 the south side. It is a work of art of the highest type, 
 made by the celebrated Tiffany Co., and represents the 
 Father and the Son appearing to the boy Joseph Smith. 
 There is another large window of the same kind in the 
 
 room adjoining this on the 
 west; the subject represent- 
 ed being the delivery of the 
 Book of Mormon to Joseph 
 Smith by the angel Moroni. 
 Still another window, in a 
 hall on the same floor, depicts 
 the expulsion of Adam and 
 Eve from the Garden of Eden. 
 The eastern front doors of 
 the Temple are on this floor, 
 and they open into hallways 
 which lead to a series of re- 
 ception rooms, beautifully 
 decorated and furnished, and 
 to the granite stairways in 
 the north and south towers. 
 Ascending to the second story of the Temple, by the 
 south stairway, v*-e reach a landing from which we proceed 
 westward, and then find ourselves in a corridor on each 
 side of which are a number of apartments, suitably fur- 
 nished, and decorated in excellent style, for the use, sev- . 
 erally, of the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, first 
 seven Presidents of Seventies, Stake Presidencies and 
 High Councils, and various quorums of Elders, etc. The 
 members of these Church organizations hold prayer and 
 council meetings in the respective rooms assigned to them 
 in the Temple. Many choice paintings, and portraits of 
 distinguished men of the Church, adorn the walls of these 
 rooms. 
 
 Again ascending a granite stairway, in one of the cor- 
 ner towers, we reach the third story of the Temple and enter 
 
 12 
 
the general assembly room. It is one hundred and twenty 
 feet long, eighty feet wide, and thirty-six feet high. It 
 occupies the entire width of the interior of the building, and 
 is lighted by the two upper rows of windows, on both sides. 
 It is a grand and beautiful room, with a splendid gallery 
 on each side. Several rows of finely upholstered seats 
 are located at the east end, under an ornate canopy, for 
 the presiding authorities of the Church and other leading 
 representatives holding the Melchisedec Priesthood. A 
 similar arrangement of seats is provided at the west end 
 for the Presiding Bishopric, Bishops, and representative 
 men holding the Aaronic Priesthood. The seats in the 
 body of the hall are reversible, that the audience may turn 
 toward either of the stands occupied by the speakers. The 
 entire seating capacity is about 2,000 persons. A great 
 number of electric lights surround the cornice, and there 
 are five large chandeliers, providing as brilliant a light at 
 night as in the day. 
 
 A further ascent of the granite stairway brings us on 
 a level with the roof of the Temple, whereon there is a 
 broad promenade, from which an entrancing view of the 
 city, valley, mountains, and lake, may be obtained. From 
 that position the electric light finials on the capstones of 
 the five towers can be noted, and a good view can be had 
 also of the statue of Moroni, crowned with a 100-candle 
 power electric light. 
 
 The entire edifice, with all its details of furnishings, 
 etc., and including the annex, boiler-house, machinery room, 
 etc., has cost about $4,000,000. 
 
 It was completed, in all essential respects, on the 5th of 
 April, 1893; and was dedicated on the following day. 
 The many thousands of Latter-day Saints who had contri- 
 buted money or labor, often involving self-denial and sacri- 
 fices such as will never be told, could not all participate in 
 the first day's dedicatory services, consequently those ser- 
 vices were repeated twice daily, for three weeks, until about 
 70,000 people had been made glad in beholding the realiza- 
 tion of their long cherished hopes, and joined in shouting 
 
 13 
 
"Hosanna to God and the Lamb" in the great assembly 
 room of the Temple. 
 
 NON-MEMBERS ADMITTED. 
 
 An erroneous idea prevails, and it is often asserted, 
 that none but members of the Church have ever been 
 admitted to the Temple. On the 5th of April, 1893, when, 
 as before stated, the Temple was completed in all essential 
 respects, over 600 non-"Mormon" residents of Salt Lake 
 City accepted an invitation extended to them, by the 
 Presidency of the Church, entered the Temple and freely 
 examined every portion of the interior. These ladies and 
 gentlemen included clergymen of all the denominations 
 represented in Salt Lake City, professional men, bankers, 
 merchants, judges, and federal oflBcials, with their wives, 
 sons, and daughters. Qualified attendants escorted those 
 visitors through the various rooms in the Temple, from 
 basement to roof, answered inquiries, and gave every 
 one ample opportunity to see all they desired. Many of 
 those ladies and gentlemen can therefore verify the de- 
 scription given in the preceding pages, concerning the in- 
 terior arrangements of the building. There have been 
 no changes made since then. 
 
 Since the final services connected with the dedication 
 of the Temple, none but members of the Church of Jesus 
 Christ of Latter-day Saints, in good standing, have been 
 permitted to enter, for reasons which considerate people 
 will readily concede are sufficient and satisfactory. That 
 those reasons may be better appreciated, a brief state- 
 ment is here given concerning Temples of ancient times 
 that are mentioned in the Jewish Scriptures. 
 
 HISTORICAL TEMPLES. 
 
 Dictionary definitions of Temples include the follow- 
 ing: "A holy sanctuary;" "An edifice erected in honor 
 of Deity;" "A place in which the Divine Presence spe- 
 
 14 
 
cially resides." God spoke to Adam in the garden of Eden, 
 and thus, as the poet Bryant says, "The groves were God's 
 first Temples." He selected the top of Mount Sinai on 
 which to abide while making His decrees known to 
 Israel. But, it seems that, whenever circumstances would 
 permit, the chosen people have always been required to 
 erect special and suitable edifices wherein to perform 
 sacred rites, ceremonies, and ordinances acceptable to the 
 Father, that can not be performed elsewhere, and where 
 His Presence would be manifest. 
 
 There is reason to believe that the children of Israel 
 had a primitive structure of that character in the land of 
 Egypt, and that they carried with them such portions of it 
 as were portable when they fled into the wilderness. 
 There is a detailed description, in Exodus, of a building 
 constructed under the direction of Moses, in accordance 
 with plans revealed to him by the Most High. It was 
 called the Tabernacle, and its purpose and uses were 
 similar to those which Temples were afterwards devoted 
 to. The Tabernacle, therefore, may properly be regard- 
 ed as a temporary Temple, to suit the unsettled condition 
 of the Israelites at that time. It was a holy place, in 
 which the Lord communed with Moses, and wherein solemn 
 assemblages of Priests and other worthy individuals were 
 held, ordinances were performed, and the sacred vessels, 
 furniture, and records were carefully guarded. 
 
 Many years afterward, all the sacred things that had 
 been faithfully kept within the Tabernacle, or Temple of 
 the wilderness, were transferred to the great Temple that 
 was built by Solomon, under Divine command, and with 
 them also the materials of which the Tabernacle was con- 
 structed. 
 
 Solomon's Temple is regarded as the grandest ever 
 built on this earth, and probably no other has equalled it 
 in the magnificence and costliness of its decorations and 
 furnishings. The main building, however, was not very 
 large, measuring 105 feet in length, 35 feet wide, and 52 
 feet high. It consisted of two halls, divided by a vail, 
 
 15 
 
and was surrounded by chambers used by the officiating 
 Priests. Before the entrance was a portico 210 feet high. 
 Sacrifices were not performed within the Temple, but in 
 the courts surrounding it. 
 
 The Lord accepted the Temple built by Solomon, and 
 His Glory was within and upon it; but, after a few years, 
 the King and people transgressed the laws of God: they 
 permitted the consecrated building to be polluted, and the 
 Divine Presence was withdrawn; the Temple passed into 
 the hands of their enemies and was despoiled by them, 
 and finally it was destroyed by fire. 
 
 Another Temple was completed 516 B. C., its erection, 
 having been commenced under direction of Zerubbabel, 
 when the Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem, after 
 their seventy years captivity in Babj'lon. This Temple was 
 on the same general plan but of larger dimensions than 
 the preceding one; it was greatly inferior, however, in 
 its appointments. It did not contain the Ark of the Coven- 
 ant, the Urim and Thummim, Aaron's rod, the "tables of 
 stone" on which the commandments were inscribed, nor 
 other most precious relics; those things had been removed 
 from Solomon's Temple, and hidden by faithful Priests, 
 when it was desecrated. 
 
 The favor of God was manifest in this Temple of 
 Zerubbabel, during the brief periods the people observed 
 Divine laws; but the structure gradually decayed, and 
 King Herod, 15 B. C, commenced the work of reconstruc- 
 tion and improvement. The main building erected by him 
 was more massive and much larger than Solomon's Temple, 
 although the same general plan was followed; and the 
 courts were increased and greatly extended. The portico 
 was one hundred and seventy-five feet long, thirty-eight 
 feet wide, and two hundred and twenty-four feet high. 
 
 The Jews rejected and crucified the Messiah, and 
 Herod's great Temple was totally destroyed by Titus. 
 A. D. 70. As predicted by Jesus, "not one stone was left 
 on another." This was the last Temple erected on the east- 
 em continent, of which we have any record. The Book of 
 
 16 
 
Mormon tells of numerous Temples on the western liemis-^ 
 phere, bulk by descendants of the house of Israel who 
 came to this land in ancient times, and their Temples 
 were the same in character as those of the East. 
 
 EXCLUSIVENESS. 
 
 Unlike synagogues, churches, cathedrals, and other 
 places of worship, the Temples herein referred to were not 
 designed, and not used, as places of public assembly for 
 the people in general. These Temples were reserved for 
 special, holy purposes in which only a limited number of 
 the Priests and people could participate. Details of the 
 services, rites^ ceremonies, and ordinances performed in 
 the Temples, or the Tabernacle, are not given in the 
 Scriptures; on the other hand, the most minute details are 
 recorded concerning sacrifices and ceremonies performed 
 outside of those holy places. It is presumable, therefore,, 
 that those who were privileged to enter were not permitted 
 to make known unto others the nature of the solemn pro- 
 ceedings conducted therein. This is in conformity to what 
 may properly be regarded as an Eternal law — the un- 
 worthy are deprived of privileges and blessings accorded 
 to the righteous. 
 
 LATTER-DAY TEMPLES. 
 
 The Gospel proclaimed by the Latter-day Saints is- 
 the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, in its fullness, restored 
 to earth for the redemption of mankind; and it includes 
 all that God has revealed that is essential for the salvation 
 and exaltation of His children. Evidently it is His will that 
 Temples, sacred and holy places, should be erected, duly 
 dedicated, accepted by Him, and kept pure and undefiled, 
 where His Spirit may abide, and wherein ordinances may 
 be administered that can not be performed elsewhere. 
 
 In harmony with this known will of God, and in obedi- 
 ence to His command, the Latter-day Saints have erected 
 
Temples in this age. Not only was this command given, 
 but every requisite detail was revealed, just as it was to 
 Moses and to Solomon. This was necessary because the 
 knowledge thereof was lost to mankind: and further, the 
 law of sacrifice was superseded, consequently the arrange- 
 ments formerly made for complying therewith are no 
 longer needed. 
 
 From the time that the vast importance, and glorious 
 purposes involved in Temple building were made known to 
 the Latter-day Saints they have considered no sacrifice 
 too great to comply with what they feel sure is the 
 Divine will in relation thereto. This is manifest in their 
 having already erected six Temples, each one as grand in 
 structure and furnishings as it has been possible to make 
 it, considering the circumstances of the people. The 
 Saints have cheerfully expended millions of dollars in 
 money and value of labor in this direction, ungrudgingly 
 given, often under most distressing conditions, when ne- 
 cessities were hardly obtainable and comforts were un- 
 known. 
 
 The first Temple built by the Latter-day Saints was in 
 Kirtland, Ohio. It was begun in July, 1833, and completed 
 March 26th, 1836, at a cost of about $70,000. Soon after its 
 completion the Saints were compelled to abandon it; the 
 building, however, still remains. 
 
 The second Temple was erected by them in Nauvoo, 
 Illinois. The work on it was commenced April 6th, 1841. 
 In the fall of 1845, the portion then completed was dedi- 
 cated; but it was not until April 30th of the following 
 year that it was completely finished and dedicated. Im- 
 mediately thereafter, a mob drove the Saints from their 
 loved Temple and beautiful city; and in November, 1848, 
 the Temple was destroyed by incendiaries. It cost over 
 $1,000,000. 
 
 The third Temple was built in St. George, Utah. Work 
 was begun on it November 9th, 1871. and it was finished 
 and dedicated January 1, 1877. It cost about $800,000. 
 
 The fourth Temple is located in Logan, Utah. The 
 
 IS 
 
corner stones were laid September 17, 1877, and the build- 
 ing was dedicated May 17, 1884. The cost was about 
 $500,000. 
 
 The fifth Temple was erected in Manti, Utah, the 
 work on which was commenced April 14, 1879, and it was 
 completed and dedicated on May 21^ 1888. It cost $992,000. 
 
 The Salt Lake Temple is the sixth that has been 
 built, but the Latter-day Saints anticipate continuing 
 indefinitely this gigaztic labor of Temple building. They 
 have received numberless manifestations of Divine ap- 
 proval, and will not cease their efforts to accomplish all 
 that is required of them in this direction. Two other 
 sites have been designated for Temples, one at Independ- 
 ence, Missouri, where, it is expected, the giandest one 
 of all will be erected; the other is at Far West, Missouri. 
 
 LATTER-DAY SAIN^ CHARACTER. 
 
 History records that the Jews and Romans sought to 
 justify themseKes for persecuting t-zid killing the early 
 Christians bj declaring that the followers of Mess' \ were 
 guilty of wicked, immoral, and murderous practices. In 
 this generation enemies, and ignorant maligners, have, in 
 like manner, arcused popular hatred .lad persecution 
 against the Latter-day Saints, by industriously circulating 
 the most abominable falsehoods concerning them, A.mong 
 other canards thus proclaimed is that vile, blasphemous, 
 and bloodthirsty ceremonies, accompanied by dreadful 
 oaths, are and have been prevalent in their Temples. In 
 recent years, however, thousands of people, not of their 
 faith, have met missionaries of the Church abroad, and 
 associated with its members in Utah and elsewhere, with 
 the result that the character of the Latter-day Saints is 
 now better understood, and those who have thus met them 
 recognize the fact that the old unfavorable reputation is 
 untrue. It is now common to hear unprejudiced ladies and 
 gentlemen, who have had opportunity to become acquainted 
 with faithful members of the Church, declare that their 
 
 19 
 
lives and conduct are exceptionally pure, their temperance 
 and industry notable, and that they come as near as human 
 beings can to loving God with all their heart, and their 
 neighbors as themselves. 
 
 Another old-time falsehood concerning this formerly 
 much-abused and misrepresented community is in process 
 of being swept away in a similar manner. Their enemies, 
 and those who ignorantly repeat the fabrications, used to 
 assert vigorously that the "Mormons" were rebellious and 
 treasonable, and that they desired the overthrow of th<> 
 United States Government. The fact is that it has been 
 demonstrated numberless times, in the true history of 
 the Latter-day Saints, that loyalty to the Government of the 
 United States is one of their distinguishing characteristics; 
 fathers, sons, and brothers have unhesitatingly risked their 
 lives to maintain its institutions. Men of the greatest 
 prominence in the community have sons who have entered, 
 and continue to enter, the military and naval academies of 
 the nation, that they may qualify themselves to defend 
 their country in times of danger. 
 
 An article of faith of the Latter-day Saints is that the- 
 Constitution of the United States was formulated under 
 the inspiration of God. The civil, religious, and political 
 liberty guaranteed by that grand document to every citizen 
 of the Republic, is appreciated by the Saints as an inalien- 
 able right they are individually entitled to enjoy; and they 
 consider it their duty to aid in protecting all others in 
 the enjoyment of its glorious provisions. 
 
 Another part of their creed, to which they sincerely 
 and honestly subscribe, is: "We believe in being subject 
 to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, 
 honoring, and sustaining the law. We believe in being 
 honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing 
 good to all men." 
 
 These are the people whose upright lives and ex- 
 emplary conduct earn for them the privilege of entering 
 the House of the Lord, and participating in the sacred 
 services and ordinances performed therein. Scores of 
 
 21 
 
thousands of them are living witnesses who solemnly 
 testify that everything said and done in the Temples is 
 of the most sublime character; pure, holy, sacred, such only 
 as should prevail in a place dedicated to the Most High. 
 There are no individuals on the face of the earth who 
 would more quickly resent and denounce any effort to 
 make them take part in evil or unlawful acts or expres- 
 sions. They are selected for the great honor of entering 
 the Temple because that is their character, and their 
 testimony is that all they see and hear therein has the 
 effect of strengthening their resolves to live in accordance 
 with the commandments of God, to do all the good they 
 can to their fellow-men. and to sustain the laws of their 
 xxjuntry. 
 
 TEMPLE CEREMONIES. 
 
 A question most frequently asked by strangers is: 
 What is the nature of the ceremonies performed in the 
 Temples that causes such intense interest in them, and 
 for which the Saints have built these edifices at such 
 enormous cost? The first ceremony to be explained in 
 answer to this query is the one known as 
 
 BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD. 
 
 The mention of this ordinance usually excites surprise 
 in the minds of strangers, for the reason that it is un- 
 known among other denominations: it is necessary, there- 
 fore, that a statement be made concerning it. 
 
 The belief generally prevails, in Christendom, that 
 the condition of human souls is eternally and irrevocably 
 fixed, by Divine decree, immediately after death, each 
 individual being assigned to never-ending happiness in 
 Heaven, or a limitless duration of torture in Hell, accord- 
 ing as they have acknowledged or repudiated belief in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. The Latter-day Saints declare that 
 this doctrine is erroneous, and that the Gospel proclaimed 
 
 22 
 
by the Son of God vindicates the justice and mercy of the 
 Father, in providing means of redemption for those who 
 have died without knowledge of, or opportunity to obey, 
 the Gospel in this life. 
 
 The proposed limit of this pamphlet will admit only 
 a brief statement in proof of this doctrine, but it is 
 recommended that all who are interested in the matter 
 (and every one certainly should be), should carefully read 
 some of the treatises on the subject, that Jiave been 
 written by Elders of the Church.* 
 
 That baptism is essential to salvation is proved by the 
 
 words of Jesus, John 3: 
 
 5. Jesus answered. Verily, verily, I say unto 
 thee, Except a man be born of water and of the 
 Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 
 
 That immersion is the proper mode is clearly shown 
 
 by Paul in his epistle to the Romans, chap. 6 : 
 
 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were 
 baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his 
 death? 
 
 4. Therefore we are buried with him by bap- 
 tism into death: that like as Christ was raised up 
 from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so 
 we also should walk in newness of life. 
 
 5. For if we have been planted together in the 
 likeness of his death, we shall be also in the like- 
 ness of his resurrection: 
 
 That those who did not receive the Gospel in life are 
 given an opportunity to accept it after death is demon- 
 strated by the following quotations, I, Peter 3: 
 
 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, 
 the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to 
 God. being put to death in the flesh, but quickened 
 by the Spirit: 
 
 19. By which also he went and preached unto 
 the spirits in prison; 
 
 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when 
 once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of 
 Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, 
 that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 
 
 I. Peter, 4: 
 
 6. For for this cause was the gospel preached 
 also to them that are dead, that they might be 
 judged according to men in the flesh, but live ac- 
 cording to God in the spirit, 
 
 ♦Elder B. H. Roberts' brochure on "Mormonism" is an ex- 
 cellent epitome of the Origin, History and Doctrines of the 
 Latter-day Saints. 
 
 23 
 
That the thief who repented on the cross, had this op- 
 l)ortunity given to him, after death, is plainly indicated in 
 -the words of the Savior to him, Luke 23: 
 
 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto 
 thee. To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
 
 The spirit world, called Paradise, where the Savior and 
 the thief went on the day they were crucified, is not 
 Jleaven, see John 20: 
 
 17. Jesus .saith unto her. Touch me not; for 1 
 am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my 
 brethren, and say unto them. I ascend unto my 
 Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your 
 God. 
 
 The ordinance of baptism for the dead was understood, 
 and performed, by the early Christians, as evidenced by the 
 words of Paul to the Corinthian saints, I. Cor. 15: 
 
 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized 
 for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are 
 they then baptized for the dead? 
 
 The restoration of the Gospel, which is Goa's plan for 
 the redemption of all His children, would not be complete 
 without this ordinance of baptism for the dead, which ex- 
 tends its saving power to all who have died without obey- 
 ing that law in life. Every principle and ordinance asso- 
 ciated with the Gospel plan of redemption, that has to be 
 believed and obeyed by the living, to insure salvation, must 
 also be accepted by the dead. The dead, however, cannot 
 be baptized in the earthly, element of water, as required, 
 (John 3, 5), consequently that ordinance is performed for 
 them vicariously, (I. Cor. 15, 29). Other essential ordi- 
 nances have to be performed in like manner, and Temples 
 are the God-appointed places for such sacred work. 
 
 That vicarious work is acceptable unto the Eternal 
 Father is evidenced by the accepted offering of His Son, 
 
 24 
 
who, by His death, atoned for Adam's transgression, and 
 will extend salvation to all who obey His Gospel. 
 
 MARRIAGE FOR ETERNITY. 
 
 The form of marriage ceremony generally performed 
 by Christian ministers, and by authorized officials accord- 
 ing to civil law, incorporates the statement that the re- 
 lationship of husband and wife is to continue until death 
 parts them. 
 
 The Latter-day Saints are made to rejoice in the cere- 
 mony of marriage performed in the Temples, by which, 
 under the authority held by the one officiating, the man 
 and woman are married for time and for all eternity. The 
 same ordinance is performed in behalf of men and women 
 who are dead. 
 
 No marriages of living persons are, nor can be, per- 
 formed without licenses duly issued therefor by county 
 clerks of the state. 
 
 Plural marriages have not been solemnized since the 
 issuance of the manifesto by the President of the church 
 in 1890. 
 
 "SEALING" CHILDREN. 
 
 The Latter-day Saints do not entertain the shadow of a 
 doubt concerning the validity and eternal character of 
 the ordinances performed in the Temple in their behalf, 
 or in behalf of the dead. They have the most convincing 
 assurance, equivalent to knowledge, that those ordinances 
 are Divinely approved. Their joy is unbounded in this 
 confident reliance upon a never-ending association, in the 
 resurrected state, with those to whom God has united them 
 in this life, and this includes the children born unto them 
 after that union. The family organization is to be for- 
 ever perpetuated, with happiness increased beyond finite 
 •comprehension. 
 
 25 
 
Children born in the bonds of wedlock under the sec- 
 tarian or civil form of ceremony, which declares that the 
 relationship is to exist only until death, must remain un- 
 der that law, they and their parents eternally separated 
 after they pass from this life, unless they comply with 
 the ordinance established to perpetuate the family organ- 
 ization. This ordinance also is one of the glorious pro- 
 visions connected with Temple work. By Divine author- 
 ity the husband and wife are married for time and all 
 eternity, and, by the same power, their children are sealed 
 to them to be theirs forever, worlds without end. 
 
 CLOSING COMMENTS. 
 
 This pamphlet already exceeds the intended limit, and 
 much remains that might be said in regard to Temples 
 and Temple work, but this must suflBce. We now respect- 
 fully ask the reader to accept our solemn and truthful af- 
 firmation that everything connected with Temple ordi- 
 nances is of the most sublime character, and is calculated 
 to develop in those who sincerely participate therein the 
 noblest, the most refining, exalting, self-sacrificing, and 
 God-like attributes, qualifying them in all respects for the 
 destined mission of Latter-day Saints, the bringing to pass, 
 in due time, of the long desired reign of "Peace on Earth, 
 Good-will to Men." 
 
 In this utilitarian age. wherein selfishness predom- 
 inates, and most people seem to be striving only for those 
 things that give greatest pleasure in this life, it is diflScult, 
 almost impossible, to induce liiem to believe that the 
 Latter-day Saints differ from the rest of mankind in these 
 respects. But, here is substantial proof that this differ- 
 ence does exist — the Temples they have built, and the re- 
 markable amount of sacred work they perform therein in 
 behalf of their dead ancestors, or other relatives, and 
 friends, involving constant and great expenditure of time 
 and means, all without hope or prospect of any earthly 
 reward. 
 
 26 
 
The existence of the attribute of pure unselfishness, 
 in the hearts of those who labor for the spiritual welfare 
 of the dead, is a direct result of the fulfilment of the fol- 
 lowing prophecy: 
 
 Malachi 4: 
 
 5. Behold, I *vill send you Elijah the prophet 
 before the coming of the great and dreadful day 
 of the Lord: 
 
 6. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers 
 to the children, and the heart of the children to 
 their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with 
 a curse. 
 
 The Latter-day Saints justifiably regard the Great 
 Temple, herein described, as positive evidence that divine 
 inspiration prompted ancient Israel's prophet to declare: 
 
 Isaiah 2: 
 
 2. And it shall come to pass in the last days, 
 that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be' 
 established in the top of the mountains, and shall 
 be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall 
 flow unto it. 
 
 3. And many people shall go and say. Come 
 ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 
 to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach 
 us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for 
 out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of 
 the Lord from Jerusalem. 
 
 Further information can be obtained from the 
 BUREAU OF INFORMATION, 
 Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 
 27 
 
ARTICLES OF FAITH 
 Of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
 
 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His. 
 Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 
 
 2. We believe that men will be punished for their 
 own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 
 
 3. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, 
 all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and 
 ordinances of the Gospel. 
 
 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances 
 of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 
 second, Repentance; third. Baptism by immersion for the 
 remission of sins; fourth. Laying on of Hands for the 
 Gift of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by 
 "prophecy, and by the laying on of hands," by those who- 
 are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in 
 the ordinances thereof. 
 
 6. We believe in the same organization that existed 
 in the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets,, 
 pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 
 
 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, reve- 
 lation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 
 
 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far 
 as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of 
 Mormon to be the word of God. 
 
 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He 
 does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal 
 many great and important things pertaining to the King- 
 dom of God. 
 
 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and 
 in the restoration of the Ten Tribes. That Zion will be 
 built upon this continent. That Christ will reign person- 
 ally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed 
 and receive is paradisical glory. 
 
 11. W^e claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty- 
 God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow 
 all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where 
 and what they may. 
 
 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, 
 rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining 
 the law. 
 
 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevo- 
 lent, virtuous, and in doing good to ALL ]MEN; indeed we 
 may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "We be- 
 lieve all things, we hope all things," we have endured 
 many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If 
 there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or 
 praiseworthy, we seek after these things. 
 
TO ALL POINTS 
 
ic Oaif Transcontineotai 
 le Throui^h Salt Lake 
 
i